The Town Herald

The netpaper about Elftowners, by Elftowners, for Elftowners.

---

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (PS2)

Rated M(17+)
Review written by [Insanelife], one of our prospective Heralder-to-be-s.


Welcome back Fisher, it’s time to save the world once again in the brand new action/strategy game. When I first picked up this game I was very skeptical about how they could have possibly improved on the last game. How could they possibly top the last installment, was I going to be playing through a lot of the same things I had experienced in the last one? These were a few of my questions when I finally got around to renting Splinter Cell: C.T. Well, I’m happy to say that all my fears had been put to rest when I got home and popped this into my PS2.


Let’s start with the graphics. In short, they were simply amazing. The CG during the cut scenes was very well done, so well done in fact, that I felt like I was actually there. From the facial expressions to the general body designs, everything has been improved. The environments are beautiful, everything has a very polished look, but it still keeps its original and gritty feel. The lighting effects were very well done, when Fisher moves under a light of any kind, his shadow always seems to follow him in perfect form. Depending on where the light is and how bright it is, determines where his shadow will appear, unlike most games which keep it right underneath the player.


Onto the game play. I will begin with the single player campaign. The story is like any other Tom Clancy novel or game, changing from location to location. The world is always on the edge of a political meltdown. The game play elements themselves have been vastly improved. You now have many more options in the disposing of enemy troops. If you happen to be suspended above someone off a pole or pipe, you have the option of hanging down and snapping their neck or knocking him out. Fisher now carries a combat knife as well, which he uses for quick stealth kills and interrogations. Moving around the levels is very easy, as the controls are exceptionally smooth. There are a total of ten missions in the single player mode, all of which offer a very different feeling, nothing is ever the same.


I never got a chance to play the brand new co-op mode with my little cousin, and we both really enjoyed it. This mode offers a different kind of stealth game play in which both players must work together to accomplish a mission. There is no real back story behind the missions, but they are still very enjoyable. I never got a chance to play the on-line mode.


This game sounds beautiful. You can spend hours in the game just sitting back and listening to some of the amusing conversations that some of the characters have before you kill them, these conversations can also reveal many helpful hints. When you are outside, you really feel like you are. From the sounds of birds chirping to dogs barking, it’s a very immersive experience.


Over all, I would give this game one of my highest recommendations; it’s a beautiful game all around. This is definitely a must have, much more than just another weekend rental. My only complaint is that it lacks the depth in the story as other great games in the genre, like MGS: Snake Eater. This is a very satisfying experience.

---

back to the TH 11 Reviews index